Serve, Smash And Stay Fit - Tips From Former All-england Champ


by MetroMela - Date: 2008-05-24 - Word Count: 374 Share This!

Padma Shri awardee, All India Open Badminton Champion and a recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award…Pullela Gopichand is all that and much more. To begin with, did you know that apart from badminton he loves the sport of soccer? Or that his favorite music is the Indian classical form?
Also, Gopichand likes to experiment when it comes to food and so enjoys sampling new cuisines. And when it comes to leisure, he likes getting the adrenalin rush with adventure sports like water rafting. What's more? Balancing that passion is his interest in reading books like The Monk who sold his Ferrari and The Power of Now.

Gopichand spent some time with MetroMela sharing his tips on badminton in particular and sports in general. Read on.

• The ideal age to start training in badminton is around seven years. However, that should not stop people above that age to start learning that sport either. As Gopichand says, "I started learning badminton when I was eleven."

• You could play badminton either for excellence or for exercise. If you are going for the former, Gopichand says that opportunities to grow professionally are getting better.

• Exercise in the form of badminton helps because it increases strength, flexibility, agility and coordination. "It is basically an all-body sport," he adds.

• One hour of badminton or any other form of exercise is essential every day for kids (seven hours a week). For elders, four hours a week is good enough.

• Gopichand believes that the Indian diet is not protein-heavy. So he suggests the intake of chikkis, biscuits and soya bean products.

• It is better to stay away from burgers, pizzas and fried items.

• Food and energy is best absorbed immediately after a sport/exercise. "That's because the body is like a sponge and soaks in the entire intake. So the best food should be taken after a training session," advises Gopichand.

• It is possible to manage sports and studies simultaneously. How, you ask and he adds, "Just cut down on your television viewing time."
As far as training is concerned, here is a list of badminton training hubs. You could also undergo training at the local clubs. But make sure that there is a regular coach to mentor you.

Gopichand's BadmintonAcademy
Tel - 09246350613 (Rajendar)

LB Stadium
Tel - 040-23212818

Kotla Vijaya Bhasker Indoor Stadium
Tel - 040-23553946

Saroornagar Stadium
Tel - 040-24031833

Related Tags: fitness, sport, badminton, gopichand

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